Forgotten Realms (play-by-mail game)
Forgotten Realms, subtitled "War of the Avatars", was a computer-moderated play-by-mail game (PBM) published by Reality Simulations that was set in the Savage Frontier of the Forgotten Realms.[1]
| Designers | Paul Brown |
|---|---|
| Publishers | Reality Simulations, Inc. |
| Years active | ~1994 to current |
| Genres | Role-playing, heroic fantasy |
| Languages | English |
| Players | 50 |
| Playing time | fixed (30–50 turns) |
| Materials required | Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil |
| Media type | Play-by-mail or email |
Development
The game was designed by Paul Brown.
Gameplay
50 players per game adventured in a world comprising 5,000 hexagons of varied terrain, where they controlled various characters, military forces, and communities.[2] Diplomacy and combat were important parts of gameplay.[2] The company published a "top-10 chart" every turn to highlight significant realm accomplishments.[2]
Each game lasted until one of the players met the victory conditions, usually 35–50 turns, at a cost of $1.50 per turn plus 50 cents for each move (to a maximum, of $15 per turn.)[3] After twenty turns, players could summon a god's avatar to aid them.[3]
Reception
Kuo W. Ping reviewed the game in the July–August 1996 issue of Paper Mayhem magazine and stated it was "one of the best PBM games I have yet played". Ping described the game as "very fun and enjoyable" and rated it with "high marks" while suggesting two areas to improve.[2]
Awards
Forgotten Realms won the Origins Award for Best New Play-by-Mail Game of 1994.[4]
References
- "Forgotten Realms: Play-By-Mail Game". www.reality.com. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- Ping, Kuo W. (July–August 1996). "A Quick Look at Forgotten Realms". Paper Mayhem. No. 79. p. 4–6.
- Lindahl, Greg. "Forgotten Realms -- War of the Avatars". pbm.com. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- "Origins Award Winners (1994)". Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design. Archived from the original on 2007-08-30. Retrieved 2007-09-18.